Transfer platform



Dec. 31, 1929. L. D. HOLMES ET AL 1,741,772

TRANSFER PLATFORM Filed Jan. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 206/d m 9.#MsghEJw 1, 1929. L. D. HOLMES ET AL 1,741,772

TRANSFER PLATFORM Filed Jan. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 2 7 we h 9,4,.8, uau- 4.

3 1929. L.'D. HOLMES ET AL 1,741,772

TRANSFER rLA'rFoRu Filed Jan. 9. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet s Dec. 31, 1929.HOLMES E AL 1,741,772

TRANSFER PLATFORM Filed Jan. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 reamed Dec. e1,was

FFEQE PATENT LOUIS D. HOLMES AND JOHN S. TOWE S-END, F HARVEY, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNORS TO WI-II'IING COR?ORATION, OF HARVEY, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIONGF ILLINOIS TRANSFER PLATFORM Application filed. January 1-), 1929.

The invention relates to transfer platforms of the type used fortransferring freight between station platforms over the tracks.

The objects of the invention are to provide: an improved structureadapted to be placed over railroad tracks to raise and lower a transferplatform above the top of the cars on the track improved power-operatedmechanism for raising and lowering the platform; improved means forcontrolling the power-mechanism for raising and lowering the platform tocause it to automatically stop when the platform reaches predeterminedhigh and low levels; improved signalling means for indicating thepositions of the platform; and other objects which will appear from thedescription.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter setforth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

in the drawings: 1 is a side elevation a structure embodying theinvention. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a plan. 4- is a section online %t of Fig. 7. Fig. a section on line of- Fig. 7. Fig. 6 ,s sectionon line 6-6 of 3. Fig. 7 is 6. Fig. 8 is a otion on line 7 7 of i k-spect1ve of a portion of the table in par- Fig. 9 1s a perspec- "at yraised poition.

"cc of one of the guides between the platn and the beam along which ittravels. 10 is a diagram of the electric circuits for controlling themotor which operates the raisii andlowering mechanism and the signallingdevices. Fig. 11 is a detail of one of the platform operated switches.

The invention is exemplified in connection with a pair of station floorsor platforms at which extend longitudinally of a pair of railway tracksZ These platforms are usually constructed so as to be level with thefloors of freight cars, so that freight may be unloa eed from the cars,directly onto the adj acent platform, In distributing freight forloading or after having been unloaded, it is necessary to transferfreight from one of the station platforms or floors to another, and forthis purpose a platform 2 is provided raised a Serial No. 331,233.

which, when lowered, is adapted to form a bridge between the stationplatforms or floors, so that freight may be transported from one to theother, and which can be sutlicient distance to permit railway cars topass under it when cars are to be moved on the tracks between t 1estation platforms or floors. This platform is composed of a pair ofchannel beams 12 and 13 at each end thereof, an I-beam 1% at each sidethere of, a central cross-girder 15 for ned of an 'I-beam, and joists orgirders 16 formed of channel beams, all rigidly secured together bybrackets 17 to form a rigid structure which is adapted to support therequired load which it may be desired to transfer from one platform orfloor a to the other. A floor of boards 18 is laid on top of the beamsand girders of the platform 0. Each platform or floor a is formed with arecess a along its edge, to receive the sides of the platform and toform abutments upon which the Bbeams ll of the platform 0 will rest whenthe latter is in its operative position, and so that the weight ofplatform 0 and the load thereon will not be imposed on the liftingmechanism while said platform is in its operative po ition. Thesupporting structure for the platform 0, when it is raised, comprisesE-beam columns 20 at the corners of said platform respectively. Thesecolumns have their lower ends secured by angle plates 21 to plates 22which usually set in the concrete forming the station platforms. Thelatter are recess d, as at 23, to receive the lower portions of columns20, and to secure them laterally. The upper ends of columns 20 aresecured together by a rectangular structure comprising side beams 2 ianda pair of beams 25 at each end, and corner plates 26, all securedtogether to said columns to form a rigid rectangular structure. Thecolumns 20 are also secured to the beams 25 by brackets 26 and to thebeams 2st by bracebars 26". The inner faces of the inwardly extendingflanges of each column 20 have welded thereon guide strips 27. A bracket28 is provided at each corner of the platform 0, and extends under apair of end beams 12, 13, and is provided with vertical grooves or ways29 to fit around the guide strips 27 of the adjacent column tovertically guide th platform 0. The lower flanges of beams and 13 arecut away, as at 30, to receive the upardly enter ing portions of bracket28. These brackets extend under the beams 12, 13, and are operatedvertically by the rotation of screws 31, to raise the platform 0 from,and lower it to, its operative position. Each screw 31 is threaded to anut which is non-rotatably held in a bracket 28, so that, by rotation ofthe screws, the brackets will be raised and lowered to correspondinglyraise or lower the platform 0. Each screw 31 extends between a pair ofbeams 12, 13, and its lower end is journalled in a bracket 34. which isrigidly secured in the outwardly facing channel of one of the columns20. The upper end of each screw 31 is journallcd in. a

- sectional gear-case 35 which is mounted on one of the plates 26 of theoverhead structure. These cases are adapted to contain lubricant.Mechanism is provided to simultaneously rotate the screws 31 tosimultaneously lift the four corners of the platform .0, and to shift itin a vertical rectilinear path. This mechanism comprises an electricmotor 37 which is mounted on a plate 38 on top of the overheadsupporting structure; a pinion 39 on the shaft of said motor; a gear 40driven by said pinion; a shaft 411 journalled in bearings 42 fixed tothe overhead structure; beveled gears 43 and 4 1 on the ends of saidshaft 41 respectively; longitudinal shafts 45 and 46- bevelled ears 4?and 48 meshin 7 D b with gears 43, a l respectively, worms lf), one ateach end of shafts 15 and 416. and disposed inthe gear-cases 35respectively, and worm wheels 50 each fixed to the upper end of one ofthe screws 3, and meshing with one of the worms 49. lilotor is of thereversible type, so that when it driven in one direction it willsimultaneously operate through the gearing last describ the four screwsor to raise the platform 0, and when it is driven in reverse direction,to rotate the screws to lower said platform. Guards or deflectors 51,usually of cast steel, are fixed to the columns 20, to prevent them frombeing deformed by impact of the trucks used in transferring freight. Avertical series of rods 52 is secured to one of the columns 20 to form aladder to the overhead structnre.

In practice, it is important to automatically stop the motor and gearingdriven thereby when the platform 0 reaches its predetermined high andlow limits, and for this purpose a normally and spring-closed switch 54is secured to one of the columns 20', and is adapted to be shifted by anangle iron lug 55, when the platform reaches its low limit to open thecontrolling circuit for lowering the platform 0. A sin'iilar switch 56is nionntcd adjacent the upper end of said column, so as to be shiftedby said lug to open the circuit for controlling the operation of themotor in lifting the platform 0. Suitable switch mechanism forcontrolling the operation and direction of the motor 37 is con tained ina box 57 which is secured to one of the columns 20. A manually operableswitch 58 controls said switch mechanism, to cause the motor to operateto lift the platform 0, and a similar switch 59 is connected to controlsaid mechanism to control the reverse operation of motor 37 to lower theplatform 0. These switches 58 and 59 are connected to the mechanism inthe box 57 and tothc switches 5-1 and 56, as indicated in Fig. 10. Astop switch 60 is also connected to said switchmechanism, as wellunderstood in the art.

In practice, it is desirable to indicate whether the platform 0 is inits raised position so the tracks will be clear to permit traffic topass thereover and under the platform. The invention providesdistinctive signals, such as red lamps 61, one above each of the stationplatforms to indicate that the table is not in its raised position topermit traffic over the tracks, and green lamps 62, one above eachstation platform to indicate that platform 0 is in its fully raisedposition, so that the tracks are free to permit traffic over them, andmeans for automatically controlling the lamps. This automatic meanscomprises a switch 63 adapted to be operated by a lug 55" on one of thecorners of the platform 0 for controlling the signal lamps. This switchis normally spring-pressed against a contact 63, so that the red lampswill be actuated t all times, except when the platform 0 is in its fullyraised position. Said switch is also adapted to engage a contact 62",when shifted by the lug on the platform 0 when the latter reaches itsfully raised position, to close a circuit through green lamps 62. As aresult, the red lamps Will be actuated at all times to indicate that thetraffic over the tracks is blocked, except when the platform 0 is in itsfully raised position, atwhich time the switch 63 will close a circuitto actuate the green lamp 62 to indicate that. the tracks are clear.These lamps and switches are electrically connected, as in Fig. 10.Switches 54, 56 and 63 may be of the construction shown in Fig. 11, withan arm 80 on a shaft 81 which, is pivoted in a box 82. The box containsthe switch which is spring-pressed and the coacting contact or contacts.Arm 80 carries a roller which is adapted to be shifted by a lug on theplatform.

In operation the bridge-platform 0 will be normally in its fully raisedposition, indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, so the tracks willbe clear for traffic. hen this platform is in this position, the greenlamps 62 will be actuated as the result of the shifting of switch 63into engagement with contact 62". to indicate that the tracks are clear,

said circuit being as follows: conductor 70, switch 63, contact 62conductor 71, in which the lamps 62 are included, and conductor 73.Switch 60 controls the flow of current to the motor and signallingdevices. While the platform is in its completely lifted position, lug 55will hold the switch 63 open to interrupt the circuit through red lamps61. To lower the bridge-platform into its operative position to permitfreight to be transferred directly between the station platform a, theoperator will close switch 59 to control the mechanism in box 57 whichwill cause the motor 37 to be driven in the right direction to rotatethe screws 31, to lower the brackets 28 on which the beams 12 and 13 ofthe platform 0 rest. The motor will continue in its operation until thelug 55 engages the low limit switch -il as the platform reaches itsoperative level. The opening of switch 54: will interrupt the motorcontrol circuit through switch 59 and stop the motor. As soon as theplatform leaves its completely elevated position lug 55 will releaseswitch 63 to open the circuit through green lamps 62, and to releasesaid switch, so that it will close a circuit through the red lamps toindicate that the tracks are not clear. he circuit of the red lamps willbe through conductor 70, switch 63, contact 63, conductor 75, in whichthe red lam as are included, and conductor 73. This circuit will remainclosed until the platform 0 is returned to its completely liftedposition. To lift the bridge-platform c, to permittraffie over thetracks, the operator will close switch 58 which will control themechanism in the box 57 to cause the motor 37 to operate in the rightdirection to rotate screws 31 to lift brackets 28. The motor willcontinue to operate until the platform reaches its completely liftedposition, at which time lug 55 will open switch 56 to interrupt thecircuit through switch 58 and cause the motor to stop. Simultaneously,lug 55 will shift switch 63 to discontinue the red lamps and close thecircuit for the actuation of green lamps 62.

T he invention exemplifies a rectangular transfer platform which isguided at each of 7 s four corners in or by a column. that it will besecurely confined again t lateral dis placement. It also exemplifies adevice of this character in which the motor and gearing are mounted onan overhead structure sup-- ported y the columns to operate rotatablescrews for raising and lowering the platform; also a structure of thischaracter which is adapted for heavy loads; also a structure pro videdwith means for automatically stopping the operation of the electricmotor when the platform reaches its raised and lowered position, and inwhich the signalling mechanism, to indicate whether or not the tracksare clear, is automatically controlled by the bridge platform.

The invention is not to be understood. as restricted to the details setforth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a set ofcolumns, a structure rigidly connecting the tops of the columns, avertically movable transfer platform between the columns, and raisingand lowering mechanism comprising vertical screw shafts associated withthe columns respectively, gearing coacting with the screws and anelectric motor, said gearing and motor being mounted above the platform.

2. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a set ofcolumns, a structure rigidly connecting the tops of the columns, avertically movable transfer platform between the columns, vertical screwshafts associated with the columns respectively, and held againstlongitudinal movement, platformcarrying brackets on and operable by thescrews, to raise and lower the platform, and mechanism for rotating thescrews comprising an electric motor mounted on said structure, and abovethe platform, and motordriven gearing for rotating said screws.

3. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a supportingstructure comprising a set of columns, a vertically movabletransfer-platform between the columns, vertical screw shafts associatedwith and supported on the columns respectively, and held againstlongitudinal movement, platform carrying brackets on and operable by thescrews, to raise and lower the platform, and mechanism for rotating thescrews comprising an electric motor, and gearing between the motor andsaid screws.

4. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a supportingstructure comprising a set of columns, a structure rigidly connectingthe tops of the columns, a vertically movable transfer-platform betweenthe columns, vertical screw shafts associated with and supported on thecolumns respectively, and held against longitudinal movement, platformcarrying brackets on and operable by the screws, to raise and lower theplatform, and mechanism for rotating the screws comprising an electricmotor and gearing between the motor and said screws.

5. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a set ofcolumns, a vertically movable transfer-platform between the columns,vertical screwshafts associated with and supported on the columnsrespectively and held against longitudinal movement, platform carryingbrackets on and operable by the screws, to raise and lower the platform,vertical guides between the brackets and the columns, and mechanism, forrotating the screws comprising an electric motor and gearing between themotor and said screws.

6. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with arailroad track and station-platforms at the sides thereof provided withabutments, a set of four columns, vertical screws associated with thecolumns, and held against vertical movement, a transfer platform betweenthe columns and movable to a position above cars on the track, bracketson and operable by the screws, and on which the corners of the platformare supported, the transfer-platform being adapter to rest on saidabutments, the brackets being free to be lowered away from the platformwhen .the platform is supported by said abutments. and mechanism forrotating the screws comprising an electric motor, and gearing betweenthe motor and said screws.

7. In mechanism of the character described, the combination witharailroad track and statioirplatforms at the sides thereof provided withabutments, a set of four columns, vertical screws associated with thecolumns, and held against vertical movement, a transfer platform betweenthe columns and movable to a position above cars on the track, bracketson and operable by the screws, and on which the corners of the platformare supported, the transfer platform being adapted to rest on saidabutments, the brackets being free to be lowered away from the platformwhen the platform is supported by said abutnlents, guides between thebrackets and the columns, and mechanism for rotating the screws comrising an electric motor, and gearing between the motor and said screws.

8. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with arailroad track and stationary platforms at the sides thereof providedwith abutments, a set of four columns, a structure rigidlv connectingthe tops of the columns, vertical screws associated with the columns andheld against vertical movement, a transfer platform between the columnsand movable to a position above cars on the track, brackets on andoperable by the screws, and on which the corners of the platform aresupported, the transfer-platform being adapted to rest on saidabutments, the brac 'cts being free to be lowered away from the platformwhen the platform is supported by said abutments, and mechanism forrotating the screws comprising an electric motor, and gearing betweenthe motor and said screws.

9. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with arailroad track and station-platforms at the sides thereof, provided withabutments, a series of four columns, a structure rigidly connecting thetops of the columns, a vertically movable transfer platform between thecolumns, vertical screws associated with the columns, and held againstvertical movement, brackets 011 and operable by the screws, and on whichthe corners of the platform are supported, said platform being adaptedto rest on said abutments, the brackets being free to be lowered awayfrom the platform when the platform is supported by said abutments, andmechanism for rotating the screws comprising an electric motor mountedon the top of said structure, and gearing between the mote and saidscrews.

10. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with arailroad track and stationplatforms, a set of four columns, a verticallymovable transfer platform between the columns, comprising pairs ofgirders at opposite margins, vertical screws associated with, andsupported on, the columns, and extending between the girders of saidpairs, platform-carrying brackets on and operable by the screws and onwhich the pairs of girders are supported, and mechanism for rotating thescrews comprising an electric motor, and gearing between the motor andsaid screws.

11. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with arailroad track and station-platforms, a set of four columns, a structurerigidly connecting the tops of the columns, a vertically movabletransfer platform between the columns, comprising pairs of girders atopposite margins, vertical screws associated with and supported on thecolumns and extending between the girders of said pairs, platformcarrying brackets on and operable by the screws and on wl 'ch the pairsof girders are supported, and mechanism for rotating the screwscomprising an electric motor carried by said structure, and gearingbetween the motor and said screws.

12. In mechanism of the character de scribed, the combination with arailroad track and station platforn'is, a set of four columns, avertically movable transfer platform be tween the columns, comprisingpairs of gird ers at opposite margins, vertical screws associated withand supported on the columns, and extending between the girders of saidpairs, platfornrcarrying brackets on and operable by the screws and onwhich the pairs of girders are supported, girders between the bracketsand the columns, and mechanism for rotating the screws comprising anelectric motor, and gearing between the motor and said screws.

13. In a transfer platform of the character described, the combinationwith a railroad track and station-platforms at the sides thereof, of atransfer platform to bridge the stationary platforms, mo able to aposition above the cars on the track, a series of supporting columns,mechanism for raising and lowering the trans er platform, compris ng anelectric motor, and signalling means for indicating that the transferplatform is in or out of its position to clear the cars on the track,controlled by the movement of the platform.

14:. In a transfer platform of the character described, the combinationwith a railroad track and station-platforms at the sides thereof, of atransfer platform to bridge the stationary platforms, movable to aposition above the cars on the track, a series of sup porting columns,mechanism for raising and lowering the transfer platform, comprising anelectric motor, signal lamps mounted on the columns, for indicating thatthe transfer platform is in or out of its car-clearing positions, andswitch-means, controlled by the movements of the transfer platform, forcontrolling the lamps.

15. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a set ofcolumns, a structure rigidly connecting the tops of the columns, avertically movable transfer platform between the columns, vertical screwshafts associated with the columns respectively, and held againstlongitudinal movement, platform-carrying brackets on and operable by thescrews, to raise and lower the platform, mechanism for rotating thescrews comprising an electric motor mounted on said structure and abovethe platform, and motordriven gearing for rotating said screws, astop-switch for the motor, and means controlled by the movements of theplatform for operating the switch.

16. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a set ofcolumns, a structure rigidly connecting the tops of the columns, avertically movable transfer platform between the columns, vertical screwshafts associated with the columns respectively, and held againstlongitudinal movement, platformcarrying brackets on and operable by thescrews, to raise and lower the platform, mech anism for rotating thescrews comprising an electric motor mounted on said structure and abovethe platform, and motor-driven gearing for rotating said screws, astop-switch for the motor, mounted on one of the columns, and meanscontrolled by the movements of the platform for operating the switch.

17. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a set ofcolumns, a structure rigidly connecting the tops of the columns, avertically movable transfer platform between the columns, vertical screwshafts associated with the columns respectively, and, held againstlongitudinal movement, platformcarrying brackets on and operable by thescrews, to raise and lower the platform, mechanism for rotating thescrews comprising an electric motor mounted on said structure, and abovethe platform, and motor-driven gearing for rotating said screws,switches for the motor to stop it when it reaches its high and lowlimits, and means on the platform for operating said switches.

18. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a set ofcolumns, a structure rigidly connecting the tops of the col umns, avertically movable transfer platform between the columns, vertical screwshafts associated with the columns respectively, and held againstlongitudinal movement, platform-carrying brackets on and operable by thescrews, to raise and lower the platform, mechanism for rotating thescrews comprising an electric motor mounted on said structure, and abovethe platform, and motordriven gearing for rotating said screws, switchesfor the motor to stop it when it reaches its high and low limits,mounted on the columns, and means on the platform for operating saidswitches.

Signed at Harvey, Illinois, this 26th day of December, 1928.

LOUIS D. HOLMES. JOHN S. TOWVNSEND.

